Trump threatens media over alleged leak on missing Airman in Iran

President Donald Trump on Monday vowed to prosecute a journalist who reported how US forces rescued an airman downed by Iran last week and were searching for a second one, claiming the reporter must give up their anonymous source or “go to jail.” Trump did not specify the journalist or outlet, but a White House official told TheWrap an investigation was underway. The president said during a press briefing that “God was watching” the Easter weekend operation that saw U.S. forces save the second airman under a CIA deception campaign. However, he took issue with an alleged leaker who disclosed to an unspecified news outlet last week that the second pilot was missing after the first airman was rescued.“We have to find that leaker, because that’s a sick person,” Trump said. “Probably didn’t realize the extent of how bad it was. I can’t imagine that person did, but we’re going to find out it’s national security, and the person that did the story will go to jail if he doesn’t say.” Trump claimed the unauthorized disclosure meant Iran learned a U.S. pilot was missing in the country and “fighting for his life.”

Trump: "They didn't know there was somebody missing until this leaker gave the information. Whoever it was, we think we'll be able to find out, because we're gonna go to the media company that released it and we're gonna say, 'National security. Give it up or go to jail.'" pic.twitter.com/T9UOt4UEaQ

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 6, 2026

National Press Club president Mark Schoeff said that “President Trump’s public suggestion that journalists should be jailed if they refuse to reveal confidential sources is a direct threat to the First Amendment and the core function of a free press.”